Marked For Murder is one of the earlier Mike Shayne novels and one of the best. If you've been reading this series, then you are no doubt familiar with Shayne's best friend Tim Rourke, the reporter. This story in a twist features Rourke and colors in his story and character perhaps more than any other Shayne novel. Of course, it wouldn't be a proper Shayne novel without hoods, murders, sexy blondes, and a mystery.

It is a really great read from the chapters featuring Rourke and his lonely battle against the Mob to Shayne's desperate return to Miami.

There's plenty of action here and the writing is sharp throughout. If you like fifties era hardboiled detectives, this is certainly a terrific read. ( )

"Marked for Murder" is the twelfth book in the novel in the Mike Shayne mystery series. In this one, Shayne is called back to Miami by an old friend, newspaper man Timothy Rourke, who subsequently ends up in the hospital with a bullet in his gut. With Rourke in a coma and the local police short on both evidence and intelligence, it's up to the quintessential private eye see that justice is served. Shayne navigates a town full of gambling dens, ubiquitous blondes, and multiplying murders in his search of his friend's would-be killer.

Halliday's novels are typical for the hardboiled genre. A lone detective takes on a corrupt city, inept local police, and an array of wanton molls and in the end brings justice to a vicious murderer. Halliday's works aren't as artful as Chandler, as vicious as Spillane, or as bleak as Hammett, but they're still darn good. This book is no exception, and will prove a great afternoon's diversion for any fan of vintage crime. ( )